Grace Morgan's POV

I covered my mouth in pain as the lash from the belt left a burning sensation on my skin. Tears welled up in my eyes as I tried to stifle a cry, knowing that any sound would only provoke him further.

"How many times did I tell you to cut off your contact with your mother?" he yelled, his voice filled with rage. "You will learn to obey me, no matter what it takes."

"Please listen to me," I begged, my voice barely above a whisper. "Mom was just asking if I was okay." His eyes darkened with anger as he raised the belt again, ready to strike.

I flinched, bracing myself for the pain that I knew was coming. The belt cracked against my skin, leaving a searing mark in its wake. I bit my lip to keep from crying out, determined not to give him the satisfaction of seeing me break. But as the blows continued to rain down on me, I couldn't help but feel a sense of hopelessness wash over me. How could I ever escape this cycle of abuse?

Derek Baker, the man I once loved, had become a monster before my eyes. The realization that I was trapped in this nightmare left me feeling utterly powerless. When we met, he was charming and kind, but now he was unrecognizable. Was this the true Derek, or had I been fooled all along? I guess all he ever wanted was to have control over me, to break me down until I had nothing left. It was a harsh reality to face.

The fear of what he might do next consumed me. His eyes were filled with malice. He raised his hand and grabbed me by the throat, squeezing tightly as he sneered in my face. I could feel the panic rising in my chest as I struggled to break free from his grip.

"You'll do exactly what I'll tell you to do," he whispered menacingly.

"Derek, I can't breathe." I managed to gasp out, my voice strained and weak. His grip only tightened, and the pressure on my throat became unbearable.

"Cut off your contact with your mom immediately," he demanded, his voice cold and unforgiving. I knew then that I was truly at his mercy, with no escape in sight. I tried to comply, but the lack of air made it difficult to focus.

My vision started to blur as I struggled to stay conscious. The fear of what he might do next only fueled my desperation. With one last effort, I pushed against his hold with all my strength, hoping for a miracle. But as darkness began to close in around me, I realized that I was running out of time.

"Yes, I'll do it," I managed to choke out, my voice barely audible. The sound of his menacing laughter echoed in my ears as I succumbed to the darkness.

When I finally regained consciousness, I found myself in my room, which was dimly lit. The soft glow of the lamp beside my bed illuminated the familiar surroundings, but there was an eerie stillness that lingered in the air. I've been unconscious for who knows how long.

The feeling of dread crept up my spine as I tried to piece together the events that led me here. My heart raced as I recalled the events, and a shiver ran down my spine. The weight of what I had agreed to hung heavy on my shoulders, and I felt a sense of dread wash over me. The room felt suffocating, trapping me in a web of fear and uncertainty.

I lost my dad a long time ago due to a tragic accident, and the memories of that loss flooded back to me in that moment. My mom is the only one who has always been there for me, and I knew I had to stay strong for her. She is not so well, as she is suffering from health issues, and I couldn't bear the thought of causing her any more pain.

I could never tell her about the monster that I am living with, as it was also my decision to marry him. I made a vow to stand by him for better or for worse, but I never imagined that worse would include constant fear and anxiety. I feel trapped in a cycle of abuse, too ashamed to seek help or confide in anyone about my situation.

Suddenly I heard the doorknob turning, and my heart raced with fear, wondering if it was him coming home early. I quickly composed myself, wiping away any evidence of tears, and put on a fake smile as the door swung open.

I saw my husband standing there, and his expression seemed joyful. Relief washed over me as I realized he was in a good mood. However, deep down, I knew his mood would change soon if I didn't obey him.

He smiled at me as he walked closer to me and wrapped his arms around me in a tight hug. I forced myself to reciprocate, knowing that it was all part of the act I had to keep up to avoid any conflict.

"Why do you make me angry, Grace? You know I don't like to hit you," he whispered in my ear, his voice laced with a dangerous edge. I tensed, knowing that his temper was a ticking time bomb waiting to explode. I wondered if I should speak or not, but ultimately decided to remain silent to avoid escalating the situation further. Instead, I focused on calming my racing heart.

"To make our mood better, I bought this gift for you." I slowly turned around to see a small, wrapped box in his outstretched hand. I hesitated, unsure of what to expect, but cautiously took the gift from him. As I opened it, I was surprised to find a red lingerie set inside. His eyes were filled with anticipation, waiting for my reaction. I forced a smile, trying to mask my discomfort. Confusion clouded my thoughts, wondering how such a gift could coexist with his volatile behavior.

"Isn't it pretty?" I struggled to find the right words, my mind racing with conflicting emotions. Despite my uncertainty, I managed to nod in agreement, not wanting to upset him further. The lingerie set was made of delicate lace and sheer fabric, with intricate floral patterns adorning the bra and pants. The style was elegant yet sensual, with a hint of playfulness in the design. The soft red color added a touch of passion to the ensemble, making it alluring.

"Good, wear it for me," he said with a grin. My heart sank as I realized the implications of his request, unsure of how to respond. I knew what he was asking for, but I simply wasn't in the mood to comply. My hesitation must have been evident, as his smile quickly faded into a scowl.

"Are you sure you appreciate my gift?" he asked, his tone turning cold. My mind raced as I tried to think of a response that wouldn't set him off. I cannot get more hits; I have a dancing recital tomorrow and can't risk any injuries.

"Yes, of course, I'll change into it." I tightly held the lingerie in my hand and stood up with my wobbly legs. As I made my way to the bedroom, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled in the pit of my stomach.

"Wait, change in front of me; I like to watch," he said with a smirk, sending a chill down my spine.

I hesitated before turning around to face him. His gaze was intense, and I felt exposed under his scrutiny. I slowly began to undress, my hands trembling as I removed my clothes. Once I was standing in my bra and panties, I reached for the lingerie, eager to cover myself up.

"Not yet," he said, stopping me in my tracks. I looked at him, my eyes wide with fear. He stepped closer to me, his eyes never leaving mine. He gently brushed a strand of hair away from my face, his touch sending a shiver down my spine.

"You're so beautiful, Grace," he murmured, his voice soft and seductive. I didn't know how to respond, unsure of what he wanted from me. He leaned in closer, his lips brushing against my ear.

"I want to make love to you," he whispered, his breath hot against my skin. I closed my eyes, my mind racing with conflicting emotions. I wanted to say no, to push him away, but I knew that wouldn't be an option.

He gently began to undress me, his fingers tracing a path down my body. I stood there, frozen, as he removed my bra and panties, leaving me standing naked in front of him. He took a step back, his eyes roaming over my body, taking in every inch of me.

"You're perfect," he said, his voice filled with desire. I felt a wave of disgust wash over me, but I pushed it down, knowing that I had to go through with this.

He reached for the lingerie, his fingers brushing against my skin as he helped me into it. The material was soft and delicate, feeling like a second skin against my body. Once I was dressed, he stepped back to admire me.

"You look stunning," he said, his voice filled with admiration. I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride at his words, even though I knew they were insincere.

He stepped closer to me, his hands reaching for my waist. He pulled me close, his body pressing against mine. I could feel his erection through his pants, and I felt a wave of nausea wash over me.

He began to kiss me, his lips pressing against mine in a desperate attempt to ignite a spark. I stood there, unresponsive, my mind elsewhere. I couldn't do this, not anymore.

I gently pushed him away, my eyes filled with determination.

"I can't do this," I said, my voice strong and clear. His expression changed, anger flashing in his eyes.

"What do you mean, you can't do this?" he asked, his voice filled with disbelief. I hesitated before turning around to face him. His gaze was intense, and I felt exposed under his scrutiny.

"I'm not in the mood, and I can't just pretend." I finally managed to say.

He looked furious as he clenched his jaw. "You're being ridiculous," he spat out, his tone condescending. I could feel my frustration building as I stood my ground. "I'm serious," I said firmly, not backing down. As he took a step towards me, I held my ground, ready to defend my decision no matter what.

"You spoiled, brat." I froze as his hand rose, expecting the worst. My heart sank as his open palm made contact with my cheek, the force of the slap sending me reeling backward.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I clutched my cheek, feeling the pain reverberate throughout my whole body. I looked up at him, my eyes filled with fear and anger.

He turned out to be a monster, wearing the face of someone I thought I knew. Yet I couldn't bring myself to leave the beast, as I was his beauty.